Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Land of Alvargonzález: Other Days," translated by Willis Barnstone, Antonio Machado presents a narrative infused with the complexities of guilt, responsibility, and the unsettling specter of a family's past. This continuation of the saga of Alvargonzález's land is a commentary on the tragic consequences of familial discord and greed, set against the backdrop of Spain's stunning yet harsh landscape.

The poem opens with a vivid depiction of a fertile and vibrant land, where nature is in full bloom, from "brambles" to "cherry trees." The land is so rich it "overflows with richness." This description starkly contrasts the underlying theme that "he who worked it is dead but earth doesn't cover him," suggesting that Alvargonzález's spirit is still restless, not at peace despite the prosperity of the land he once tended.

The second section is an ode to Spain, but also a subtle indictment. Described as "parched, fine and warlike," the land reflects not just natural beauty, but also its history of conflicts and hardness. The "fist of sierras" could be read as a metaphor for the closed, hardened character of the people, perhaps hinting at the sons of Alvargonzález, who were consumed by greed and envy.

As the poem unfolds, the sons are introduced, riding "dark mules" up a steep path. This journey is not just physical but metaphorical. They are in search of prosperity, attempting to buy cattle, yet the weight of their past actions looms heavily. The line "They're going to buy cattle and drive them to their village" stands in tragic contrast to their father's lonely, aimless wanderings, as narrated in the preceding "Land of Alvargonzález." It's as if the sons are trying to make amends, yet the land remains a haunting reminder of their treachery. Twice they hear voices singing of their father's legacy, and how he "cannot sleep below the earth."

The foreboding atmosphere intensifies in the fourth section, where the setting becomes denser and darker. The sons feel trapped, both by the impending night and the haunting voices that underscore their father's restless spirit. Their discomfort, "quake before mountain night," can be seen as a manifestation of their internal guilt and fear.

Finally, as they continue through a labyrinthine landscape filled with "great rocks" and "tribes of naked roots," the tension is palpable. The sons, consumed by the landscape as much as by their memories, are confronted by their own shortcomings. The poem culminates with their musing on the shortcut, suggesting that sometimes "the shortcut is the long way," a metaphor that encapsulates the complexities and repercussions of their actions.

Machado's vivid imagery, drawn from the Spanish landscape, serves not just as a backdrop but also as a character in its own right. The land reflects the psyche of its inhabitants, beautiful yet fraught with a difficult history. Moreover, Machado subtly invokes the land as a moral compass, a silent observer to human failings, and perhaps, an eternal reminder of Alvargonzález's unfulfilled destiny.

"Land of Alvargonzález: Other Days" is a haunting and deeply evocative work. It stands as a contemplation on the themes of human greed, the intricate relationship between land and identity, and the haunting continuity of past actions into present lives. Through this layered narrative, Machado presents a cautionary tale, imbued with an ethereal blend of natural beauty and human tragedy, that continues to resonate in the realms of both literature and the complexities of human nature.

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